Inheritance

Chapter 35- The Power Of Nature

I opened my eyes to see a strange roof which appeared to be made of bamboo. I moved slightly, then winced as my entire body responded. The memories of the fight flew through my skull, and I sat up, feeling my heart pound in my ears.
I was in a small makeshift hut, with animal skins on the floor and a few crudely made pieces of furniture. I looked down at myself and was Surprised to see pieces of large leaves pressed against my skin. A gooey green paste coated the underside, where the leaves met my wounds, and provided a almost cooling feeling. Curious, I started to peel one off.
"You should leave it on. its not done cleaning your burns."
With a start I looked around, then saw the girl sitting in a corner sewing cloth together. Her hair was green and blonde, streaked throughout so it was impossible to tell which colour it was supposed to be. Her eyes were a soft hazel, and her skin was a light green colour, like a green carnation flower. Her face was in the shape of a teardrop, with a small chin, big eyes, and soft features. I wouldn't doubt she was 12, or perhaps 13. She was short, probably 4"11, but for all her gentleness it was obvious she knew how to survive.
"Who are you?"
"I'm fairly sure I told you, but I guess you forgot. My name is Shirina, Sherry for short. You?"
"I'm Solus. Its nice to meet you."
"Yes, but probably not in the best circumstances."
She spoke with a slight lilting accent, which reminded me of birds chirping or water gurgling over a creek.
I looked around once more.
"Do you live here?"
"Yeah. But I constantly have to move due to wild beasts attacking my home. Still, its as good as any mansion." She smiled.
Without meaning to, I smiled back. She seemed so sweet.
"Your an angel, right?" She asked.
I nodded.
"I figured because of your wings. A angel like yourself hasn't been seen in Faeri lands since the dawn of the new age. What brings you here?"
"I'm looking for something. Armour. It used to be my fathers, but it was scattered and lost when the humans got to it. I was hoping I could piece it together again."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Armour you say? That sounds quite interesting. Tell me, Solus of the angels, why you need this armour. Because armour is only used to defend yourself in times of great need, not to keep in your closet for decades on end."
The way she spoke sounded wise, even for her young age, if she was young. The way she figured out the reasoning behind my adventure so quickly meant she had a sharp mind, and even sharper intellect. I smirked.
"Well, there's a evil let loose in this land. And if it ever decides to go too far I want to be able to stop it."
She paused in her sewing.
"Your going to fight that dark wave?"
"Dark wave..?"
She put down what she was doing and looked me in the eye.
"Yes. Dark wave. I felt it. Anyone with certain magical powers can sense it when something big happens to the way of the world, especially those with nature magic such as myself. It gives us time to prepare in case something decides to attack our homes. And I felt a shift in the world, small as it is. Something that should not be here is here, and it will not rest until it fulfills its purpose."
I felt chills wash over me. I knew what she was saying was true, and I saw it firsthand.
"Do you know of a way to stop it?"
She shook her head.
"None except to either kill it, which is impossible, or to give it what it wants."
"What does it want...?"
"I don't know. I was far away when it happened. And besides, even us nature folk can't tell you everything in how the world works. We can sense it changing, grow and adapt to it, but we cannot stop it or fix it. Its the way the world works."
"What is your species?"
"Fauna. Humans know us as nymphs."
"I'm curious as to how a faunae such as you knows so much about the worlds happenings."
She sniffed, a bit indignated, and said.
"I am a part of nature. It runs in my blood, strengthens my limbs, and aids me when I need it. The world is a beautiful and deadly place, much like this forest. And like the forest I am attached to the earth. And so, I feel it when things happen. When a forest fire breaks out, Angel, do the animals stay put or do they run away as their instincts tell them?"
"They run."
"Exactly. They can tell when something dangerous is going to happen, and they listen to their instincts. Just as I listen to mine."
She let me think in silence for a moment, then added.
"Does your instincts not tell you as well?"
I hesitated
"Well.. Angels have always been known to sense evil and danger in men's hearts."
"Mhm."
"We used to be able to sense whenever something is going on, but our magic isn't as strong as it used to be. It got weakened and tampered down when our lands were desecrated. Since then we don't have as much knowledge and freedom as we used to."
"Why don't you stay in your lands anymore? I understand it is in ruins, but its still the safest place you can be."
"Its... Its complicated. The light magic that used to roam free there got replaced by darkness. There's still some light, but its very weak. If an angel goes there and stays for too long, it'll unbalance our magic and hurt us. Its like breathing in pollution for you, as a fauna. It'll hurt your magic."
"I feel like that's true, but that there's also something else your not telling me."
"I don't have to tell you everything."
"No, but you would be dead if I hadn't decided to help you."
I went quiet. After a moment she continued.
"Think of it as a debt owed. You tell me everything I need to know, and protect me, and I'll help you."
"That... sounds fair."
"Good."